Good HONDA Article

[Highrev1]

Honda has a legendary reputation for making its vehicles fun-to-drive with precise steering and responsive suspension tuning with refined road manners. Precise and sharp handling performance also contributes to accident avoidance maneuverability - one of the key reasons Honda pays so much attention to handling performance. The 2006 Honda Civic chassis delivers higher levels of sportiness and ride comfort with improvements in three key areas - enhanced suspension geometry with larger wheels and tires, a longer wheelbase, and a new generation 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS). The changes add up to a new Civic that is even more responsive and sporty in demanding situations while also maintaining a smooth and comfortable ride. The potent Civic Si takes handling performance to a new extreme and demonstrates the potential of the Civic platform.

Chassis Summary
All Models

Control-Link MacPherson Strut Front Suspension with improved caster angle and toe-control dynamics
Multi-link compact double wishbone suspension with improved damper size and location
Wider track for sedan (+1.3 inches front/+2.5 inches rear)
Wider track for coupe (+1.1 inches front/+2.1 inches rear)
Advanced Logic 4-channel ABS System
Civic Si

High performance springs, dampers and sway bars (front and rear)
Larger 17-inch alloy wheels (+1 inch)
Michelin Pilot HX 215/45 R17 tires
(Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 high performance summer tire package available)

Large 11.8-inch ventilated front disc brakes, 10.2-inch solid rear disc brakes
Civic Hybrid

15-inch lightweight and aerodynamic alloy wheels
Low rolling resistance P195/65 R15 tires
Civic Sedan and Coupe

Larger 16-inch wheels on LX and EX (alloy on EX), 15-inch on DX
Larger P205/55 R16 tires on LX and EX, P195/65 R15 on DX
4-wheel disc brakes on EX
MacPherson Strut Front Suspension
The MacPherson strut front suspension incorporates new geometry with a high caster angle, and inversely wound springs for straight line stability, along with improved toe-control dynamics for sharp and responsive steering. To improve steering rigidity, and reduce friction, the steering gear box was mounted lower. Significant changes to steering angles, bushings, material rigidity, and spring and shock tuning result in amazingly linear suspension movement at the upper limit of vehicle dynamics and flatter cornering. When cornering, the inner wheel remains closer to perpendicular (relative to the ground plane) throughout a greater range of travel, which improves tire adhesion. To improve ride comfort, the compliance angle on the lower control arm was optimized to transmit less harshness. Further enhancements include less center offset with the wheel to minimize the potential for torque steer and shimmy (i.e. the tires' ability to transmit pavement irregularities into the suspension).



Honda engineers have also revisited the rear suspension to improve the Civic's handling precision and ride. The multi-link double wishbone rear suspension benefits from a new design that facilitates more rebound stroke and improved positioning of the damper. The improved rebound stroke allows the vehicle to soak up bumps and harsh road surfaces with quietness and ease, while also enhancing overall stability. The damper is mounted closer to the wheels for a more favorable 1.1:1 lever ratio between suspension movement and the distance that the damper actually travels (the previous ratio was 1.7:1). The more direct relationship means the dampers are able to provide better damping and control throughout the full range of suspension travel. These enhancements combined with sport-oriented spring and damper settings greatly increase the overall sporty feel of the vehicle and increase the feeling of coordination between the front and rear suspensions (a surprisingly uncommon trait in many vehicles).



Springs, Dampers and Stabilizer Bars

The tuning of the suspension is designed to minimize front-end dive during braking and squat under acceleration, as well as reduced body roll when cornering. The spring rates, combined with precision damper tuning, provide a good balance between its fun-to-drive character and everyday ride comfort.



As with every vehicle that utilizes a front strut suspension design, the strut bears the load of the weight of the vehicle. Drive forces during the suspension's compression stage can sometimes influence steering precision because as the springs compress, they exert torsional force in the opposite direction on the steering mechanism and sometimes make the car pull to the side. To neutralize this effect, Honda engineers applied inversely wound (wound in the opposite direction) coil springs to the front struts. Because the two front springs compress in opposite directions, the torsional force they produce cancels each other out, minimizing their effect on steering.

Damper construction is a progressive valve design that significantly contributes to a smooth ride and precise handling characteristics. These gas-pressure dampers use a stacked disc-valve arrangement that yields easily and progressively to high-velocity damper piston movement, such as those created by bumps and road impacts; however, the same velocity-sensitive valves present more resistance to the small, low-velocity movement associated with body transient motion at high speed.

All models (except for the DX) feature front and rear stabilizer bars to reduce body roll during cornering. The diameter of the front stabilizer bar on non-Si models measures 24.2 mm (tubular with a wall thickness of 3.0 mm). Solid rear stabilizer bars on non-Si models measure 10 mm.

Civic Coupe Exclusive Suspension Tuning
To achieve sport coupe performance, the Civic Coupe has the following exclusive suspension tuning compared to the 2006 Civic Sedan:

Front spring rate increases 20 percent
Rear spring rate increases 28 percent
Sport tuned front and rear damper settings
Solid front 25.4 x 3.5 mm tubular stabilizer bar (up from 24.2 x 3.0 mm)
Solid rear 11.0 mm stabilizer bar (up from 10.0 mm)
Civic Si Exclusive Suspension Tuning
To achieve razor-like performance, the Civic Si has the following exclusive suspension tuning compared to the 2006 Civic Coupe:

Front spring rate increases 17 percent
Rear spring rate increases 14 percent
Track tuned front and rear damper settings
Solid front 28.0 mm stabilizer bar (up from 25.4 mm tubular)
Solid rear 17.0 mm stabilizer bar (up from 11.0 mm)
Heavy duty front wheel hub and bearings
Heavy duty front and rear lower control arms
Civic Hybrid Exclusive Suspension Tuning
The Civic Hybrid has the following exclusive suspension tuning compared to the 2006 Civic Sedan that optimizes the vehicle's unique specifications:

Solid rear 12 mm stabilizer bar (change from 10 mm)

Full article here
http://corporate.honda.com/press/art...=2005083039848

[Sirbelch]

Can't give you rep. Good info though. Anything that relates the Civic to the RSX suspension geometry. I know ours is better, i was just wondering how much?

[mbringle]

I saw that article, there are 5 in all. I put them on my site, but here are some quick links

General Overview
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Civic/Librar...ic_General.pdf

Interior
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Civic/Librar...c_Interior.pdf

Body
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Civic/Librar...Civic_Body.pdf

Powertrain
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Civic/Librar...Powertrain.pdf

Suspension
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Civic/Librar...Suspension.pdf


OK back to reading everything you wrote on suspensions and trying to set up my new EX Sedan.

-Mike
07 SSIP
http://www.CygnusX1.net/Civic

[mrJLIEU]

Good stuff guys. Enjoy the Physics of Racing series mbringle. +1